Traditional forest-related knowledge and sustainable forest management in Asia

Abstract

Traditional forest-related knowledge (TFRK), most often tightly interwoven with traditional religious beliefs, customs, folklore, land-use practices and community-level decision-making processes, has sustained the cultures, livelihoods, and agricultural resource management systems of local and indigenous communities throughout Asia for centuries. Traditional knowledge systems in Asia, as in the rest of the world, have historically been dynamic, responding and adapting to changing environmental, social, economic and political conditions to ensure that forests and associated agricultural lands continue to provide tangible (foods, medicines, wood and other non-timber forest products, water and fertile soils) and intangible (spiritual, social and psychological health) benefits for present and future generations.